MARTHA SEZ: Undoing Christmas

Sometimes I think that all the hoopla about New year's resolutions is just a way of filling the void Santa leaves behind when he and his reindeer head back up to the North Pole. As Christmas approaches, everybody waits for Santa with bated breath.

Whew! Lost diamond ring returned

Martha Javaras’ Christmas didn’t get off to a great start this year. It was two days before Christmas , and the 76-year-old had just returned home from shopping at Kohl’s in Napa.  

Valetine's Day: Love wins out in bad economy

Money may not buy love, but that apparently won't stifle spending this Valentine's Day. Despite the sluggish economy, many Fayetteville business owners say they expect to do well leading up to Tuesday.

First Person: I Start My Christmas Shopping in January

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Lake Forest Answer Man: How did Lake Forest businesses fare in 2011?

The Lake Forest Answer Man is all business: For many reasons the Lake Forest business district is a destination shopping area. How did merchants do in 2011? What is the feedback about the Christmas season? – Carson P. Scott Hard data will not be available until June for the year past, but there is a general sense that things went well in November and December. “The stores reported an excellent ...